Tucker update

Here we are day 7 in the hospital! it has been a rough week but we will do what we have to to get answers! i miss my tripp at home but my mom, sister and carl's sweet aunts have been taking good care of him. we are so blessed to have such wonderful family at this time. i have only gotten to see him a few times, but it's not enough:/ Sorry I haven't sent out an update in a little while. We are still here in the hospital and looks like we will be here through the weekend and into next week.

The doctors are still trying to figure out what is going on. We now have our medical team, the gastro team, the genetics team and now the neurology team all working on his case. So that means lots more labs and tests to see if they can start to figure something out. They have known all along that he definitely has some nutrition issues so they are giving him pediasure through his feeding tube at night and during the day we get him to drink his milk with a nutrition supplement in it and also try and get him to eat foods (which he puts in his mouth, chews and spits out, part of his swallowing issues). They are also giving him a multivitamin and iron supplement as well. However, with the gastro doc's influence they have come to realize that nutrition alone is not the underlying problem. No one knows what is causing the Lethargy and extreme weight loss. They have run so many tests and ruled lots of things out. So far some of the big ones have been, brain MRI- clear!, EEG-normal EKG-normal, blood counts normal. Today they are going to do another panel of blood tests that all the doctors have ordered. Only problem is tucker is a "hard stick" meaning they have a hard time locating a vein to get blood. So his arms are all bruised up from all the try's. today the doctor is trying to get a special team who specialize mainly in iv's but use an ultrasound machine to locate veins. They had to do another IV for tucker and drew blood really easily. Anyways, they usually don't just come for blood draw but dr is trying to pull strings to get them to come and get all the blood they need with one stick, which would be great!! Please pray we can get them in today!

So basically he is a big question mark. Luckily, they have ruled out some of the "big scary things". Please continue to pray that they can figure something out. We know once we get out we will be working with OT's, PT's, dietitians, and other specialists. So we have a road ahead of us but we are hoping to have some kind of answers before we leave.

Thanks again for all your prayers and kind words, we appreciate them. And some have asked if we can have visitors, we can and we love it, but don't expect it! We know how far is it and parking is a nightmare, etc! Hopefully we can come home soon!!













Love and Blessings,
Traci




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Tucker update

First of all we wanted to thank everyone for their kind words, thoughts and prayers. It's so appreciated and God is hearing all of our prayers. I have been praying that God would place the right doctor in our path and he has. I start crying when he walks in the room because he has been so helpful and attentive to us. I even made him tear up today when I told him how thankful I was that God placed him in our path. Our nurse for the past few days has been amazing as well. She has been an advocate for us, hugged me, cried with me,etc. all of the staff here are amazing though. We really couldn't be in a better place.


So basically, after many tests ( and more to come), tucker is extremely malnourished and needs nutrition ASAP. We still have to get therapy for his swallowing aversion, but his sudden lack of energy and significant weight loss are going to hopefully improve with nutrition. So they are going to put in a feeding tube through his nose in order to ensure this. He will probably have to keep it in once we leave for a while but our hope is that it will perk him up and jump start him into eating again then we can remove the tube. So that means we will be here for at least a few more days.

As for the cause to why the sudden lethargy and weight loss, the drs are not sure. They are all working together now to figure that out. We have talked to gastro specialists, genetics and our team of doctors. I am at peace knowing that they will figure it out. We are also having a brain MRI tomorrow morning to rule that out. The doctors don't seem to think there will be anything but I'm glad they are doing it so I can rest assure.

We don't have all the answers yet but I feel like we are finally getting on the right path. I also know we are in the right place. We have a long road of occupational therapy, GI Appointments and adventures with a feeding tube but we can handle it. God never gives you more than you can handle:) if we find out anything more after tomorrow's tests I will update my blog. Thanks again for all your prayers! Here are a few pics of the patient:)




















Love and blessings,
Traci


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Being a mommy is hard

Being is a mom is a true blessing but with that blessing comes struggle and worry on a daily basis. There are the small everyday worries like making sure your kiddo eats, sleeps, goes potty, has a clean diaper etc. then there are worries about the future, worrying if you are doing the right things now to prepare them for the future. It never stops, the worry.

Lately my worry has been quadrupled. My little tucker has had a rough past month. Not only has he been teething and cutting his molars, he has had a cold and allergies too. This has meant many sleepless nights and many fussy days. Through the past month he has been so lethargic and not wanting to do anything but sit in his chair or in my lap. Tucker has also been having feeding problems where he doesn't want to swallow his food. We have seen OT's and are currently on a waiting list to see a speech pathologist to determine if a swallow study is needed. He also had some major food allergies for about 3 months earlier on and thankfully outgrew those. However lately he has been so lethargic and losing weight. We went to our pediatrician yesterday and after a lengthy visit, an examination and a blood test (all clear!) it was determined that these issues are pure nutrition problems at this point. The dr recommended that we give him pediasure along with his milk to help with this problem. Only problem is tuck refuses to drink it!! Then he refused to drink his milk. It was a rough night and an even tougher morning trying to get him to eat. He wants to eat table foods that he can't handle right now and refuses to eat the purées that he can. Not to mention I spent most of the morning on the phone with dr's offices trying to get him on waiting lists to see the necessary people. It is super frustrating!! I'm trying not to complain but it's so hard watching your little boy not feeling great and not eating:(

After the horrible morning I had, I had to run to the grocery store to get a different flavor of pediasure and get some gas. After pumping gas I drove through chick fil a to get Tripp some lunch and tucker a milkshake. When I went to pay I realized I didn't have my debit card. After searching my car I went back to Kroger to look at the pump I was at. There was an older lady there so I just looked around and drove off. I started crying and thought geez now I have to spend the afternoon on the phone canceling my card. At that very moment my phone rang and it was a lady from chase bank. She told me a lady had found my card at the gas station and turned it in there. I started crying harder and she could hear the kids in the car. She told me to just drive through and she would give it to me there so I didn't have to get the kids out. I wanted to jump out of the car and give her a hug! Just proof that God is always with me and that there are good honest people in this world! I really needed that today!

Even as hard as it has been we are so thankful to our lord and savior because we know he is going to point us in the right direction and get this feeding issue taken care of.

Other than that things have been crazy as usual! Trying to keep my head above water and be a good mom and wife too!! I will end this post with some recent fun pictures!! Thanks for stopping by and reading my rant! Please keep tucker in your prayers:)




Loves to relax with daddy



Love this time of year!



Mowing in his pjs!



My handsome hubby after I schooled him in a game of pig!



Loves to play!



Trying to drive over the leaf piles!




Taking cousin Kate for a ride, she was eager to get off!! Too crazy for her!



My poor baby everytime we drive through the car wash!!



My fave snack at the moment!



Being a mommy is hard work!





Tripp at the grocery store, about sums up my morning!!

Here's to an easier tomorrow:)

Love an blessings,
Traci


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Friday fun!

Our Friday was a bit crazy but fun! It started out with a trip to Shipleys for some donut holes then off to do some grocery shopping. After the grocery store I decided to let Tripp ride his bike and take tucker for a walk since it was such a beautiful day. We went over to the lane as usual and walked down by uncle Jimmie and aunt carrie's house. They have a small pond in front of their house with rocks,etc. Tripp always loves to climb on the rocks and throw some in the pond. Aunt carrie happened to come outside, so we were standing by the pond visiting while Tripp played on the rocks. All of a sudden Tripp looks over at us, bends his knees and jumps in the pond!! It took us both a minute to respond because we were both in shock!! Then I ran over and pulled him out, he was up to his neck!! She ran inside and grabbed a towel. Through our laughter we cleaned him up and took off his clothes. As soon as I took him out he looked at me and said "daddy spank butt". Haha!! He knew he was not supposed to do that but the temptation had been building!! It was actually quite humorous!! Wish I had filmed or taken pictures:) I had to bring his little butt home and give him a bath to wash off all the nasty pond water! After the whole debacle, sweet aunt carrie treated us to some delicious chick fil a! We are so blessed to live here and be a part of such a wonderful family. Oh the joys of fearless little boys!! I'm in for many more years of fun!!


Friday after afternoon we were back outside! We also spent some time with coach who hasn't been feeling well since his surgery. Carl even made it home a little early and spent some time with us and his dad too! When we got home Carl had brought me home some flowers and wine. Love my hubby!! It has been a rough couple of weeks for so many reasons, so having a sweet hubby is such a blessing, especially when he has been so busy working and helping his dad too! We ended the night with some fajitas, chips and queso, snuggles with our boys, some tv and some wine. It was a great Friday!! Here are a few pics!



Thursday we had my sister and nephews over for a play date and chief even stopped by for lunch!!








Love their chief!




Lol!!!




We let some balloons go for Grammy in heaven!




My silly boy!




My calm little boy:)




Here is the pond Tripp took a swim in!




My sweet flowers from my hubby!




stretches before my nice run this morning!


Thanks for stopping by!

Love and blessings,
Traci


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Throwback Thursday

In honor of throwback Thursday, I decided to post a few pictures from the past:) since it's almost Easter I will start with the Easter pics of my boys for the past few years, enjoy and hope you get a good laugh!




Easter 2011



Easter 2012



Easter 2013




My dad when he was a little boy



And now get ready for a good laugh....



My goofy family in the 90's!!! Haha!

Happy Thursday!

Love and blessings,
Traci


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Rodeo

Carl and I went to see Jason Aldean at the rodeo on Monday night. His boss has a suite box and we get to go every year. We had a great time and even got there a little early so we had time to walk around. It was a bit on the windy and chilly side but we had a great time!! We even bought Tripp a cowboy belt with a belt buckle:) maybe he can wear it with his wranglers in 2 years when he's eligible for mutton bustin! Haha, Carl is determined to get Tripp ready for it! So cute!! Anyways, here are a couple pics I snapped and a few more as always:) hope all have a blessed week!!












Hanging with my baby



Tripp and his best bud graham



Too precious!!



Loves playing in the sprinklers!

Thanks for stopping by!

Love and blessings,
Traci


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I'll be here for you

As I was running this morning one of my favorite songs came on. It has a whole new meaning for me now that I have two precious little boys. They are my everything and I would do anything for them!! Here it is:


"Good times come and then they go
The rain will fall the wind will blow
Through it all you gotta know
I'll do what I can do
To protect you right or wrong
Heal the hurt 'til the hurt is gone
I'll be right where I belong
I'll be here for you
I'll be here
When the sky turns gray
The sun goes blind
And the moon won't stay
I'll be the light to guide your way
Onto some place new
I'll be here
When the crowd is gone
The last note fades on the very last song
I'll be the road to take you home
I'll be here for you
When your star falls from the sky
And your wings don't want to fly
Just remember I'm standing by
To help to see you through
'Cause better days
Will come again
Clouds will break,
Your heart will mend
I'll be where I've always been
I'll be here for you"

Robert Earl Keen

Every time I hear this song I think of my boys (my hubby too). I would do anything for them:) I'm so blessed:)
Today should be a crazy day for us:) Carl is working today:( so I will be taking the boys to Evan's birthday party solo! This should be interesting:) hopefully they will both be good for mommy:) after Carl gets home this afternoon he is going to go over to his dad's house to help with some yard work since he is not able to right now. Then we will be having dinner with the Schindes:) so it's going to be another long day for this mommy!! Glad I had enough willpower to get out of bed and go for a run before Carl left, I'm going to need the energy bolt:)
I will end with some recent pics:) hope all have a fab Saturday!!


Ok, I was looking through some pictures and couldn't believe how different my boys look!! Btw, they are wearing the outfit that their daddy wore home from the hospital. Susie and I put it on both of them and took pictures:)








Hilarious!!




Silly Tripp




Mommy and tuck




Tripp wanted a hot dog for breakfast the other day, wasn't worth the argument and he ate it all!




Our afternoons on Schindewolf lane




My little boy who is all boy and loves to get dirty!!




My early Mother's Day present from Carl and the boys....love it!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Love and blessings,
Traci


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Three

Today our sweet boy turned 3!! I can't believe it!! He has grown up so much lately and is such a good boy. He is sweet and fun loving and active as ever!! Never a dull moment with this kid:) can't believe it has already been 3 years since God blessed us with our first son. We love you so much buddy, you make our lives so special!!





We started the day with a trip to Shipley's for some birthday donuts. Then we headed to the grocery store and home to put tuck down for nap. The plan was to then go to chick fil a for lunch and to let Tripp play, but tuck woke up running fever so I had to take him to the doctor instead. Tripp was a trooper and settled for a lunchable and a nap! Tucker checked out at the doc and was determined he has a little cold and his molars are coming in. So more fussy nights and waiting it out:/ poor little guy. Tonight we did get to take our big man to chick fil a to eat and play! My sweet mom came over and sat with tuck while we had a quick date with the birthday boy:) So Despite tuck not feeling well and me having a terrible toothache (going to the dentist tomorrow:)) it turned out to be an ok day!! We even managed to go over and visit coach:) Here are a few pics:)




Birthday donuts




Yum!



Waiting at the doc



Loves his daddy!! Such a special bond:)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Love and blessings,
Traci

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